"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Making the Best of It

We have been snowed in now for a couple of days so far this week and were snowed in a couple of days last week. We have more snow on the ground than I can ever remember having. The first big snow was so pretty, but now we are getting really tired of it. Aidan has missed 6 days of school (with being called off tomorrow already) in the last 8. So that means I have stayed home and worked from home with all 3 kids running around the house. Challenging ... but they have been so good and I have been able to get a lot of work done amazingly. They have wanted to stay in their jammies, watch videos, play legos and play the wii. Believe it or not, the only request I have gotten to go out in the cold is to go to the skateboard park. What?! Keenan seems to think that we can dig a path through the snow so he can skateboard. Sure ... I'll get right on that.

Aidan even read his brother and sister a book today without being asked. It was so precious to hear him reading while they cackled at the funny story.

The Fam

Welcome

Welcome to our blog. We are the Garland family. Michael, Heather, Aidan (12), Keenan (9), Isabella (8) and Eli (3). We brought Isabella home in August of 2009, and Eli home in February 2013. We hope you enjoy our journey as a family of 6!

Aidan

Keenan

Bella

Eli

Our four blessings

Timeline

February 15: Apply to CCAI;
February 16: Apply to FAC (homestudy agency);
May 24: Received Final Homestudy;
May 25: Sent I800A application to USCIS;
July 11: USCIS Approval;
July 20: DTC;
July 24: LID;
August 9: LOI submitted to China, Eli's file locked!!;
August 17: Pre-approval from China;
September 19: Out of Translation;
November 1: LOA;
November 21: USCIS Provisional 800 Approval;
December 18: Article 5 issued;
January 9: Travel Approval!;
January 21: Eli in our arms forever!!